Easing/Increasing Wanderlust: Custom Maps & Globes

Summer is a time of push/pull love/hate here in San Francisco: It's so beautiful, what a wonderful place to live, and it doesn't seem to be raining! But also: Get me out of here, there's a whole world to see, let's go right now! And why is it so cold in the summer? Customizable maps and globes can help make your travel dreams seem a bit more real — but are also kind of a tease.

• Okay. I must admit that usually chalkboard-anything does nothing for me — but a chalkboard globe? So much potential. You could chart your routes, have timed cartography contests, mark where your loved ones are scattered throughout the world, or make up imaginary countries and oceans. You could either make one with landforms included like this one from Design*Sponge, or a completely blank one like this one over at Ohdeedoh.

• The only problem with the Scratch-Off Map is that it makes me want to get to scratchin'! All that gold, though pretty, is mocking my lack of travels. At this point in time I could scratch off about a dozen U.S. states, two Canadian provinces, and Austria, but that leaves a lot of gold. Somebody get me a quarter and a plane ticket! The Scratch-Off Map would be a particularly fun gift for a kid, as they could watch their world become more colorful over the years.

• Finally, there's the little highly-specific map I made as part of a Houseguest Welcome/Survival Kit. I really wish I'd made one for every guest over the years, with special spots picked out just for them- and that I'd saved a copy of each! It would have been fun to see how my favorite places have changed over time, and the maps would be great reminders of the places I shared with friends and family. So from now on, that's what I'll do!